Most Sask. crops in normal stages of development: crop report

Crops can be seen near Grand Coulee, Sask. (Gareth Dillistone/CTV News)

Most Saskatchewan crops are in their normal stages of development and consistent with what has been reported in recent weeks, according to the province’s crop report for July 8-14.

Seventy-one per cent of fall cereals are at normal stages of development with 27 per cent estimated to be ahead of normal for this time of year. While 75 per cent of spring cereals are at normal stages of development, 17 per cent are ahead. Seventy-three per cent of oilseeds are at normal stages of development, while 12 per cent are ahead and 15 per cent are falling behind the normal stages of development, the province said in the report.

Currently, 79 per cent of pulse crops are at normal stages of development, while 18 per cent are ahead of the normal stages of development. Sixty-five per cent of perennial forages and 72 per cent of annual forages are at the normal stages of development for this time of year, the province said.

Crop conditions continue to vary across the province but overall are reporting to be in good to fair condition. Areas experiencing a lack of moisture are reporting that canola and mustard are finishing the flowing stage early, the report said.

The heaviest rainfall reported was in the Ponteix area at 44 millimetres (mm), followed by the Shaunavon region (39mm), and the Semans and Lafleche areas, which both reported 37 mm.

The southwest and some of the northwest is reporting moderate to severe crop damage due to a lack of moisture and minor to moderate damage is being reported in other areas also due to a lack of moisture. Other crop damage the past week was mainly due to gophers and grasshoppers, the province said.

The province’s full crop report can be read here.